RIGED Act of 2025

The RIGED Act of 2025 ensures that expired federal permits for offshore oil and gas development in the Gulf of Mexico automatically continue with their original terms until new permits are issued, preventing operational disruptions for companies. It requires the Secretaries of Interior and Commerce to coordinate with other agencies through joint working groups - which must notify Congress and the President about their purpose and duration - to maintain permit continuity. The bill also extends the use of a 2020 biological opinion for Gulf oil and gas projects, meaning compliance with that opinion satisfies Endangered Species Act and Marine Mammal Protection Act requirements until a new opinion is approved. This directly affects oil and gas operators and federal agencies managing offshore energy permits and environmental compliance in the Gulf.